Interview With Author Nadine Brandes

I’m here with Nadine Brandes, author of the awesome Out of Time trilogy for an interview! The Out of Time series is a Christian dystopian trilogy. Most of my GoodReads friends raved about the first book, A Time to Die. I love dystopian books and knew I had to check it out! It’s one of few series that resulted in lots of fan-girling for me. 🙂 So I’m really happy to be able to share the interview with you!

Here we go!

Ashley Bogner: If you had to pick your top three favorite books or series, what would be on the list?

1) the Bible (I know that seems like a cheesy answer, but I just can’t start a day without it!)

2) Harry Potter series — Because they had such a huge impact on my imagination!

3) The Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers, because they’re the best and most inspiring historical fiction I’ve ever read in my life.

What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

READ! But that’s expected. I also enjoy cooking, traveling (I think traveling should totally be a hobby), rock climbing, reorganizing my bookshelves, and playing the piano.

Reorganizing bookshelves is definitely a hobby. 🙂

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

Frankly, I adore all of it (yes, even editing!) But I think my favorite is when I first get a new idea and the excitement of developing it totally takes over my brain for several days. Those days are magical—when anything seems possible.

I also love the editing process!

Who is your favorite character in the Out of Time series?

How can you ask me this?!?! *dies* Obviously, I have to say Parvin. Probably because she is so much like teenage Nadine—and teenage Nadine and teenage Parvin would have made good friends. But don’t tell me to pick between Jude and Solomon. I can’t. I just….no.

Is there a certain Scripture verse/passage that particularly influenced the series?

There are several! Pretty much the entire book of Ecclesiastes, but also Isaiah 42:6-7 (book 1), Jeremiah 1:6-8 (book 2), and Isaiah 60:1-2 (book 3).

What is the biggest message or takeaway you hope readers pull from your books?

Well, it’s been amazing to hear the different takeaways that each reader finishes the book with—they vary so greatly and I love seeing how God weaves different themes in that I didn’t expect, that touch different readers.

But when I wrote the books, it was with the hope that readers would walk away with a new understanding that, no matter how dark life gets, there is always hope. And that we have a purpose in our lives — to help return the world to how it was intended to be. Shalom! I also really hoped that Parvin would be relatable and feel like a friend that my readers could journey with.

(I could go on and on with this. 🙂 )

One of the things I loved about the trilogy is that it does offer hope even in dark circumstances. That’s something definitely missing from a lot of dystopian novels.

Can you tell us anything about your latest project?

Actually yes! My latest project is a historical fantasy set in 17th century London. I will have many more details to share very soon via my newsletter. But you can prepare yourself for dark alleys, color magic, alchemists, midnight duels, and secret plots hatching in tunnels beneath London.

The book is a standalone and should release sometime in 2018.

Sounds super interesting! 😀 Can’t wait until we can all read it.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Keep writing! The writing journey can be very bipolar—encouraging one day, discouraging the next. Just keep pushing through. No matter how much you despair over a project, there will be times of rejoicing over it just around the corner. 🙂

And, if you ever can, attend a writers conference and connect with other writers! It will change your life. 🙂

Writer’s conferences are amazing!

Thank you so much for letting me interview you!

More about Nadine Brandes:

NADINE BRANDES once spent four days as a sea cook in the name of book research. She is the author of the award-winning Out of Time Series and her inner fangirl perks up at the mention of soul-talk, Quidditch, bookstagram, and Oreos. When she’s not busy writing novels about bold living, she’s adventuring through Middle Earth or taste-testing a new chai. She and her Auror husband live in a Tiny House on wheels. Current mission: paint the world in shalom.

I’ve heard about the Out of Time series and checked out her website (which has an AWESOME color scheme, might I add 😆) and it seems interesting! But I’m concerned about the alchemy and color magic. (And for those who think I’m over the top, yes… yes I am, so read it and weep.😈)
Anyway, thank you for the interview! Yes, the writing process can make one bipolar at times. 🤦🏾🙋🏾

Um…I love that you love the color scheme. 😀
And in regards to the alchemy and color magic, the term “magic” is used very lightly. There is nothing witchcraft related and it doesn’t get dark on the alchemy front. If you ever want more details you can always shoot me a message through the color-schemed website. 😉 I’m happy to share what I can to help you enter a story more informed!

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Welcome to My Blog!

Hello, and welcome to my blog! I'm an avid reader, a college student, and the author of Reintegration. On this blog you can find book and movie reviews, author interviews, Christian living posts, and updates on my writing. Feel free to leave comments!

Thank you very much for stopping by!

--Ashley Bogner

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